Automatic perforating and scoring rule



jan. 2G, g'fffg. H, Q RElNsCH 2,270,475

AUTOMATIC RRRFORATING AND scoRING RULE Filed oct. 8, 1940 2 sheets-sheet 1 O l www 4.-.@

.Em 2Q, H Q RENSCH 2,270,475'

AUTOMATIC PERFORATING AND SCORING RULE Patented Jan. 20, 1942 AUTOMATIC PERFORATING AD SCORING RULE Harry Orville Reinsch, Compton, Calif.

Application October 8, 1940, Serial No. 360,247

8 Claims.

My invention relates to a retractable rule for platen printing presses or the like of a type in which the rule may be projected above the plane of the printing type or retracted below such plane. In my invention the rule may have perforating edges to form a perforating device of the paper printed upon or may have a line ruling edge to develop a readily bendable or foldable line in the printed paper.

The purpose of having the rule retractable and extensible is that in such a rule it is necessary to have it extending beyond the plane of the type to perform its perforating or ruling function but, if permanently beyond the plane of the type it encounters the inking rollers which pass over the type and thus cause damage to such rollers whereas when the rule is retracted the rollers pass over the type without any interference from the rule. Also, another factor is that when the rule is retracted it does not receive any ink and hence does not ink the paper either at the perforations or at the folding line.

In this type of perforator or scoring rule, an object and feature of my invention is a unitary assembly of the rule, a series of stationary cam surfaces in the rule holder and complementary cam surfaces on the underside of the rule so that the rule may be elevated and a spring for retracting the rule. With this, a further feature of my invention is the employment of a rocking device preferably in the form of a bell crank pivotally mounted in the holder which, when actuated to rotate or oscillate in one direction, shifts the rule for the interengagement of the cams and thus raises the rule while sliding it transversely.

In order to secure the proper timing, my invention contemplates the use of the plunger mounted in one end portion of the rule holder which on depression acts on the bell crank, rotating this to project or extend the rule beyond the plane of the type. The reverse movement of the bell crank caused by the return movement of the rule through the actionv of the retraction springs again elevates the plunger. The timing device for operating the plunger according to my invention includes a platen pin which is attached to the usual thick paper employed on the platen and such pin being provided with a button positioned to engage the plunger and depress the plunger as the platen approaches the type and the rule, which as above mentioned are mounted in a chase on the base of the printing press.

A further detail feature of my invention relates to the interengaging construction of the cams on the base oi the rule holder and the underside of the rule which not only give adequate support to the rule at the center, but at the extreme opposite ends whereby even pressure is developed between the paper printed upon in perforating or forming a scoring line. This construction includes a series of center cams in the form of sloping teeth and has cams which may be only a single tooth at each end of the rule holder and rule, leaving a space for the retraction springs between the end and the central cam teeth.

Another feature of a modification of my invention is making the rule holder quite thin in the portion having the elevating and the sliding rule. This is of decided use for intersecting perforations or score lines made transverse and upright relative to the sheet of paper. A further feature of 'this construction is having the outside and the inside plates adjacent one end spaced apart a sufficient distance to accommodate a single spring which retracts the rule and also to provide sufficient room for a rocking bell crank used to give the positive motion of elevation to the rule. In this arrangement of the thinholder it is desirable to have pin and slot guides for the rule to assure a positive retraction from the elevated position to the retracted through the operation of the spring, therefore the rule has transverse inclined slots engaging pins connecting between the outside and inside plates of the holder. With this construction a further improvement is in omitting the plunger assembly and having the platen pin operate directly on the head end of the bell crank. Due to the fact that a slight rolling motion is required between the point of contact of the pin and of the head of the bell crank, my invention also comprehends an improved type of platen pin. This pin is provided with a roller, the shank of the pin being stuck in the paper employed on the platen and thus positioning the roller in the correct location tovengage the head of the bell crank.

My invention is illustrated in connection with the accompanying drawings, ln which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation partly broken away taken in the direction of the arrow I of Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a plan taken in the direction ofthe arrow 2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, this illustrating one side of the rule holder removed as well as the operating plunger being removed and illustrating the rule in side elevation and the tooth-like cam base vof the holder in side elevation, the rocking bell crank also being in side elevation.

Fig. 4 is a transverse section on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3 in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 5 is a transverse section on the line 5 5 of Fig. 3 in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 6 is a partial illustration of a section through the press indicating the assembly of the rule with type or furniture in the chase of a press and the button pin secured to the paper on the platen.

Fig. '7 is a detail face view of the button pin.

Fig. 8 is a partial side elevation of a modified rule of a scoring type.

Fig. 9 is a side elevation partly broken away in the direction of the arrow 9 of Fig. 10 of another form of my invention.

Fig. 10 is a plan taken in the direction of the arrow I0 of Fig. 9, both views showing the'rule retracted.

Fig. 11 is a partial illustration of a section through the press indicating the assembly of the rule of Figs. 9 and 10 with type or furniture in the chase of a press withmy new button pin operating to raise the rule.

Fig. 12 is a side elevation taken in the direction of the arrow I2 of Fig. 13 of the platen pin ernployed with the construction of Figs. 9, l0 and l1.

Fig. 13 is a face elevation of the platen pin taken in the direction of the arrow I3 of Fig. 12.

Referring rst to the construction of Figs. 1 to 5, the rule is designated by the numeral II, this being of a type having serrated perforating teeth I2 on the major portion of its upper edge, such upper edge being illustrated as straight. The rule is quite thin and has parallel sides as indicated at I3. The lower edge for the major portion has cam surfaces I5 which may be considered in the form of inverted teeth in which the fiat crest is indicated at I6, the at root at l1 and the cam slope I8, this being a straight sloping line between the crest and the root all facing A in the same direction. The other side of the root is formed by a transverse edge I9. There is an end cam 2G at one end having an upward slope similar to the side or rise I8. The other end has a tooth 2| with the same characteristics as the center teeth. An operating end piece 22 extends beyond the end of the perforating teeth and beyond the tooth 2l and is illustrated as having a transverse thrust surface 23 Ifor a purpose hereunder indicated. The under edge also hastwo clearance recesses 24 and 25, each of which is characterized by an upward slope 26 slightly less steep than that of the cam slope i3 and by a drop edge 21 adjacent which is a perforation 28 to engage a spring.

The main portion of the rule holder is formed by an outside plate 36 and an inside plate 31. The inside plate has formed integral therewith an end block 3S which block is much thicker than the plate 31. A central cam plate 46 is located between the plates 36 and 31, the' assembly being together connected by transverse screws 4 I. All of the plates are characterized by having a bottom edge 42 on the saine plane. The cam plate however has a series of cam-like teeth 45. These may be considered as having a flat root 45, a nat crest 41, a straight cam slope 48 having the same angle as the slope I3 of the Cain of the rule. The root and crest are likewise connected by a transverse edge 49 for the main teeth. At one end there is a cam slope to engage the cam end 20 of the rule and to cooperate with the tooth 2l there is an end tooth 5I. There are also recesses 55 and 56 in the upper surface ofthe cam base 4i! preferably having a slope as to one portion similar to the slopes 2S and provided with a peroration 51 for a spring.

Fitted in the recesses 24 and 25 of the rule and 55 and 56 of the cam plate 4l! there are two similar retraction springs 60 each having an end caught in the perforations 51 of the cam plate and 28 of the rule, thus tending to shift the rule to the left as to Fig. 3 and at the same time draw the rule down the cam surfaces until the teeth of the rule and of the cam plate interfit, thus lowering the rule to its greatest extent. In order to afford ready access to the springs the side plates 36 and 31 each have an elongated slot 65, these slots thus aligning with the recesses 55 and 56 of the cam plate 40 and 24 and 25 of the rule when the rule is in its lowermost position.

rThe rocker assembly 10 to mechanically shift the rule to one side and thus upwardly, includes a deep curved recess 1I in the cam plate 40 adjacent one end and in this is rotated a bell crank 12 mounted on a pintle shaft 13 which extends preferably through the two side plates 36 and 31 and through the cam plate 40. The bell crank has anv upward extending pressure finger 14 which is adapted to engage and ride with a sliding contact and thrust on abutment end 23 of the rule. The opposite arm is illustrated as having a flat surface 15. This bell crank is slightly thinner than the cam plate in order to have a free oscillating motion.

The enlarged end block 38 is for the purpose of accommodating a plunger assembly 86. The block is illustrated as having a T shaped guide 8|, this being in the form of a perforation from the top to the bottom and the plunger designated 82 has a shank 83 and a T head 84. This block preferably has a flat surface 85 at the top. The inside vertical surface of the block is in sliding contact at its lower portion with the cam plate 46 and thus fits closely contiguous to the rule and to the bell crank 12. A stud 86 is secured to this inside face of the plunger and fits undeneath the end piece 22 of the rule and is located to Contact and engage the upper surface 15 of the lower arm of the bell crank. When the springs 6i) have retracted the rule and hold this in its lowerrnost position, the lower arm of the bell crank reacts against the stud 86, thus elevating the plunger to the position shown in Figs. l and 4. When the plunger is depressed, manifestly the reaction is in the opposite direction, the stud 86 depressing the lower arm of the bell crank thus rocking this on its pintle 13, hence presenting a rocker action. The upper arm or finger 14 reacts against the abutment end 23 of the rule, thus 4shifting it longitudinally towards the opposite end and causing the rule to ride upwardly on the cooperative cam surfaces respectively on the upper edge of the cam 40 and on the lower edge of the rule, this motion being sufficient to bring the perforator edge of the rule above the level ofthe type.

In Fig. 6 is illustrated a partial part of an assembly of a press in which the base indicated at 9B forms the mounting for the type and the perforating rule assembly, which with the furniture is held in a chase, not illustrated. The type is indicated by the numeral 9| having the plane surface 92 for the upper portion of the type over which the inking roller passes and which does the printing. The platen of the press is indicated at 93 to which is attached the usual paper cover S4 forming a backing for the paper to be printed. A button pin 95 is secured to the paper. This `pin may be of a number of Vdesigns suitable for being caught in the paper 94. In Fig. '1 the form illustrated includes the shank 96, resilient cross arms 91 and the pressure button 98. This button is so located that it aligns with the plunger 80 when the platen approaches the type mounted on the base, therefore the action of the press is such that when the platen and the type are separated for inkng purposes, the inking rollers operate over the surface of the type, the furniture and the retracted rule manifestly Without contacting the rule. The paper to be printed upon is then inserted fitting against the platen. As the platen and the type approach the button 82 therefore raising the rule to the perforated position, manifestly as the platen recedes from making the printing contact with the type, the plunger is again elevated through the medium of the retraction spring 60 and the rule retracted.

In certain types of work it is desired to score the paper being printed. Fig. 8 shows a fragment of a scoring rule designated |00. This has a longitudinal scoring edge I instead of the perforated edge I2 of the rule The design otherwise is the same as that above described in connection with Figs. 1 to 5. Manifestly this type of scoring rule may be readily substituted for the perforating rule and operates in the same manner. In this case however as the scoring rule need not be elevated to the same heighth as the perforator, as it does not cut through the paper, such slight difference of projection is Y taken care of by the heighth of the button 98 and the yield of the rule being slightly depressed with engaging the paper without cutting the perforations therethrough.

Referring to the construction of the device of Figs. 9 to 11, the rule has serrated perforated teeth ||2 on the complete upper edge. This rule may be made quite thin and has parallel side faces H3. The lower edge has cam surfaces H5 with flat crests H6 and at roots f- I I 1 with a connecting cam slope H8, the root and the crests being connected on the opposite sides of the slope by a transverse edge H9. The end cam has an upward slope similar to the rising cams I8. At the opposite end there is a cam slope |2| similar to the other cams. An end piece |22 extends downwardly below the cam |2| and beyond the end of the perforating teeth. This has a vertical notch |23 therein extending upwardly from the lower edge. There are two upwardly inclined guide slots |24 and |25 spaced lengthwise of the cam teeth. These have parallel upper and lower edges and such edges have the same slope as the cam edges I I8.

The main portion of the rule holder is formed of an outside thin at plate |36 and parallel inside plate |31. The inside plate has a laterally offset section 38, there being a lateral bend as indicated at |39. A central cam plate |40 is located between the side plates |36 and |31, the assembly being connected by transverse screws |4I. All of the plates have their lower edges |42 in the same plane. The cam plate has a series of cam teeth |45. These have a flat root |46, a nat crest |41 and a straight cam slope |48, such slopes being at the same angle as the cam slopes I8 of the rule. The root and the crest are connected by a transverse edge |49 for the main teeth. At the remote end there is the cam slope |50 engaging the end cam |20 of the rule and at the opposite end an end tooth |5| cooperates with the cam |2| of the rule. There are recesses |56 and |51 on the upper edge of the cam base |40 accommodating the portion of the rule below the inclined slots |24 and |25.

Fitted in the oiiset section |38 there is a retraction coil spring |60 which has one end attached to an end strip |6| of the side plate |36. In this construction the spring |60 is completely enclosed as to both sides but there is a space or opening at the upper and lower edges of the plates |36 and the offset section |38. A pair of transversepins |62 and |63 each fit in the di'- agonal slots |24 and |25 of the rule and are secured in the sides |36 and |31 of the rule holder. These cooperate with the action of the spring |60 as hereunder dened.

A rocker assembly |10, not particularly Figs. 9 and l1, to mechanically shift the rule to one side and thus upwardly employs a bell crank |1| pivoted on a pintle |12, such pintle being mounted in the side plate |36 and the offset section |38. The bell crank has a head arm |13 with a cam shaped upper edge and a slope towards a point. The thrust arm |14 has a thrust pin |15 secured thereto and fitting in the vertical notch |23 of the rule. This pin also projects into an arcuate slot |16 formed in the side plate I 36 only. The retraction spring |60 has one end |11 caught in a perforation at the lower portion of the thrust, arm |14. Adjacent the sides of the head arm |13 there is a vertical notch in the side plate |36 and directly opposite a similar notch 8| in the olfset section |38 of the side plate |31.

In Fig. 11 a portion of the assembly of a press indicates the base with the perforating rule assembly held by suitable furniture in a chase, this being not illustrated as it is of known construction. The type also is not illustrated. The platen |93 is shown as having the usual paper cover |94 forming a backing for the paper to be printed. A platen pin |95, note particularly Figs. 11, 12 and 13, is secured to the paper in the usual manner.

This pin, note Figs. 12 and 13, has a shank |96 provided with a point. A wide plate section |91 at the upper end with parallel ears |98; between these ears is journalled a roller |99, this having journal ends 200. The prong 20| at the head of the pin and opposite the roller bites into the paper |94 thus aiding retention of the pin in the proper position.

The manner of operation and functioning of the invention of Figs. 9 through 13 is substantially as follows, it being understood that either a perforating or a scoring rule may be utilized.

In the inactive position the upper edge, that is,

the teeth ||2 of the perforator or the edge of the scoring rule is normally slightly below the upper edges of the rule holder plates, thus when in this position the pins 62 and |63 are adjacent y the upper ends of the slots |24 and |25, the spring 60 retracts the bell crank so that the stud |14 acting in the notch |23 shifts the rule to its inactive position andthe co-acting movement of the slots 24 and |25 with the pins |62 and |63 force the rule downwardly. In this position the cam on the upper end of the head arm |13 of the bell crank projects slightly above the upper edges of the rule holder. This is in a position to be engaged by the roller |99 of the platen pin |95 when the base and the platen approach. The roller |99, noteFig. 11, therefore rocks the bell crank, this roller being accommodated in the notches |80 and |8| and as there is a very slight rolling movement of the roller on the cam, it is preferable to utilize a roller rather than a rigid structure on a platen pin. The depressing action of the roller` on the head arm of the bell crank shifts this crank in a counter-clockwise movement havingreerence to Figs. 9 and 1l. The stud |15 attached to the bell crank moves in the arcuate slot |16 and also in the notch |23l thus forcing the rule to the right as shown in Fig. 9 or upwardly having reference to Fig. 11. In this motion the coacting cam edges elevate the operating edge of the rule above the upper edge of the rule holders and thus above the type for perforation or scoring `of the paper being printed. On the reverse action of the displacement apart of the base and the platen |93 as the contact between the roller |99 and the cam edge of the head arm |13 of the bell crank is broken, the spring |60 in retracting the bell crank, also through the action of the stud |15 in the notch |23, shifts the rule to the left having reference to Fig. 9 and the pins |62 and |63 operating in the slots |24 and |25 retract the rule to its inactive position.

Various changes may be made in the details of the construction without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as dened by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A device as described comprising a rule holder, a rule mounted therein, cam means interengaging the rule and the rule holder for elevation of the rule, a retracting guide device between the rule and the rule holder to guide the rule in its retracting movement, a bell crank pivoted to the rule holder and having a cam head arm, a platen pin having a roller positioned to engage the cam head arm and rock the bell crank to actuate the rule to a projected position.

2. A perforating and scoring rule assembly in which a holder has a displaceable rule mounted therein with interacting surfaces between the rule holder and the rule, the combination of a pin and slot guide connection between the holder` and the rule to guide the rule in retraction, a bell crank pivoted to the holder and having a head arm with a cam shaped surface and an operating arm with an actuating connection between such latter arm and oneend of the rule,

a platen pin having a roller to engage the said cam of the head arm for rocking the bell crank and hence projecting the rule to its active position.

3. In a device as described, a platen pin having a roller to engage a moving part of a rule holder and rule assembly when locked in a chase.

4. In a device as described, a platen pin having a shank, a plate section, a roller rotatably mounted on the plate section and a prong connected to the plate section on the side opposite the roller. v

5. An automatic perforating and scoring rule assembly including in combination a rule holder having a longitudinal slot at the top with a rule mounted therein for elevation displacement, sloping complementary cam surfaces on the underside of the rule and inside of the rule holder, spring means tensioned transverse of the slot to retract the rule within the slot, means mounted directly in the rule holder and actuated bythe Y approach of a chase and platen in printing to shift the rule longitudinally against such cam surfaces and thus elevate the rule.

6. A perforating scoring rule assembly including in combination a rule holder, a rule mounted therein, a bell crankpivoted to the rule holder and having a cam head arm projecting above the upper edge of the rule holder and a thrust arm extending downwardly, a pin and slot connection between the thrust arm and the rule adapted on rocking of thebell crankto shift the rule longitudinally and means` reacting between the rule and the rule holder to raise and lower the rule on its longitudinal movement.

7. A perforating and scoring rule assembly including in combination a rule holder, a displaceable rule slidably mounted therein, a bell crank pivoted to the holder adjacent one end and having a cam head arm, the rule holder having notches adjacent the cam head, 4a thrust arm forming part of the bell crank, a pin and slot connection between the thrust arm and the rule, cam means interengaging between the rule and the rule holder to elevate the rule, the cam head being adapted for depression by engagement by a platen pin contacting the arm and extending into the said notches, a guide pin and slot connection between the rule and the rule holder to guide the rule in a retracting movement and a spring means to urge retraction of the rule.

8. A perforating and scoring rule assembly including in combination a rule holder having a straight outside plate and a parallel inside plate, the latter plate having an oiset and an offset section from the outside plate, a rule slidable longitudinally and in an upward direction between the plates, the plates being closely contiguous to the rule except for the offset section, a bell crank pi-ntle between the outsideplate and the oiset section of the inside plate, a bell crank pivoted thereon having a thrust arm extending downwardly between the outside plate and the said offset section, the rule having an'end part overlapping the thrust arm of the bell crank with an interengaging means to operate the rule upon rocking of the bell crank, the said oiset section being substantially limited to the space necessary for the overlap of the thrust arm and the end portionof the rule.

HARRY ORVILLE REINSCH. 

